Buffalo Bills Bringing in Mario Williams and Robert Meachem for Visits

Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix had promised that the Bills would be aggressive in free agency in 2012. It looks like Nix has kept true to his word.

According to this article from ESPN.com, the Bills are flying Houston Texans free-agent defensive end/linebacker Mario Williams in for a visit this evening (3/13). The fact that Williams chose to visit the Bills first means that the Bills are in the driver's seat. Their objective is to not let Williams leave Buffalo unless he has signed on the dotted line to a new contract.

In addition to Williams, the Bills have also scheduled a visit with New Orleans free-agent wide receiver Robert Meachem. Meachem would be viewed as another wide receiver threat to line up opposite of Steve Johnson. He has been in the NFL for five years.

Meachem has been a 40-50 catch per year type of receiver, but he averages 16.1 yards per catch over his career. Meachem has scored 23 touchdowns in his four years in New Orleans.

Williams is undoubtedly the top defensive free agent in 2012. He can play defensive end or outside linebacker, as he has done both for the Texans. He is 6'6" and weighs 283 pounds. He is a combination of power, speed and quickness. Those skills have allowed him to generate 53 sacks in his six years in the NFL. He also has created 11 forced fumbles and is only 27 years old.

If the Bills are able to sign Williams to a contract, it makes the Bills defense much more formidable. The front seven would boast defensive linemen Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus to go along with Williams. The Bills are hoping that Shawne Merriman can return to health to add to this mix.

Should the Bills sign Williams, he immediately upgrades their pass rush, which has netted only 27 sacks in each of the last two seasons. Now, it is up to Buddy Nix and company to sign Williams and Meachem to a new contract.